R.E.M.’s later-era albums don’t often get the respect they deserve.
Sure, we love the classic ’80s stuff — especially “Lifes Rich Pageant,” which makes our desert-island shortlist. And we certainly dig those ’90s offerings, with “New Adventures in Hi-Fi” being our No. 1 favorite in the band’s overall catalog.
Yet, fans who have skipped over the group’s 21st-century output have missed out on some really amazing music. They are important, yet often-overlooked pieces of the puzzle that fully illustrate why R.E.M. ranks as the greatest American rock band of all time.
